Movable traffic lane divider

ABSTRACT

Remotely controlled, movable traffic lane markers for automobile highways. Each marker is adjusted transversely across the highway by means of a movable belt. The belt is wound at one end on a spindle connected to an electric motor and at the other end the belt is carried around a roller, or wound around a spring biased spindle. In an embodiment, a captive nut carried by a rotatable, threaded rod supports and moves each marker.

[451 Oct. 15, 1974 EJHtfite ite Meat [1 Pare 3,447,429 6/1969Bowersox........................r..... 404/11 1 MOVABLE TRAFFIC LANEDIVIDER [76] Inventor: Robert Lee Pare, Turks Missippi Bldg" providence,02903 Primary Examiner-Nile C. Byers, Jr.

Mar". 30, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 346,254

Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Thomas J. Greer, Jr.

[22] Filed:

[57] ABSTRACT Remotely controlled, movable traffic lane markers forautomobile highways. Each marker is adjusted transversely across thehighway by means of a movable belt. The belt is wound at one end on aspindle connected to an electric motor and at the other end the l IW 349 a ..1 16 mE WW WW6 I/ "4 "0 m4 Wh c Hr. Na 8 S L C .M Umm 11:1 2 8555 1:11

belt is carried around a roller, or wound around a [56] References Citedspring biased spindle. In an embodiment, a captive nut UNITED STATESPATENTS carried by a rotatable, threaded rod supports and moves eachmarker.

404/10 X Wiswell 404/13 Mahoney...............................t 404/6 16Claims, 11 Drawing Figures 1 MOVABLE TRAFFIC LANE DIVIDER This inventionrelates to a traffic lane divider or separator of the type which ismovable across a highway in response to Changing traffic patterns. Thedevice displays particular utility in highways having three or morelanes, with one or more of the lanes being alternately used'for trafficin one direction and at other times traffic in the other direction.

The prior art is aware of a number of constructions of traffic lanedividing devices and are shown, by way of example only, in US. Pat. Nos.2,931,279 to Wiswell and 2,136,709 to Roberston, and 2,260,051 toPardee. In the first two constructions, a marking device is placed uponthe surface of a highway, the device defined by sections generallylongitudinally aligned, end to end. These devices suffer thedrawbackthat they must be manually positioned and relocated on the highway.Where labor costs are high and where relatively long stretches ofhighway are involved, this is a relatively serious drawback. Accordng tothe Pardee construction, a pluralityof longitudinal barriers or railsare moved above and below the road surface by a plurality of hydraulicmotors. While apparently suitable for its intended purpose, the Pardeeconstruction involves relatively large and expensive equipment for itsoperation, as well as relatively large cavities beneath the surface ofthe highway. In another construction, that shown in US. Pat. No.3.301,62O to Mahoney, a longitudinal barrier functions parallel to thehighway as a lane divider and is movable transversely across thehighway. A prime mover such as an electric motor is carried within thebarrier and rotates pulley elements engaging flexible belt elementsfixed to the highway. While apparently useful, this system displays thedrawback that one substantial blow to it by a moving vehicle wouldseriously damage it.

According to the practice of this invention, a movable highway divideris defmed by an upstanding marker mounted on a spring with the spring inturn mounted on a movable belt, cables or threaded bar. The belt orcableis wound at one or bothends on a spindle, the belt being positionedtransversely relative to the highway. One of the spindles is coupled toan electric motor while the second spindle is coupled to a spring biasedmechanism, so as to always urge the belt in one direction or the secondspindle may be a roller system for carrying the belt. A relativelyshallow channel is placed transversely of the highway, the channelcarrying a metal or plastic support for the movable belt. The entireensemble is relatively small and thus occupies only shallow depths inthe roadbed. The electric motor is preferably remotely controlled andthus long sections of a highway may be simultaneously controlled.Alternately a threaded rod may be turned by a small motor at one end,the turning of the rod moving a metal or other rigid platform which isfitted with threads matching the threaded rod. Reversing the motor wouldcause the direction of the platform movement to reverse.

IN THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a partially schematic view showing a sectionof a roadbed provided with the transversely removable traffic lanemarkers according to this invention.

FIG. 2 is a partially broken and schematic view showing one of thetransverse belts holding the removable road marker of this invention andmounted in a concrete highway.

FIG. 3 is a partial cross-section view illustrating an embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 2, and illustrates another embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a view taken along section 55 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 4, and illustrates yet anotherembodiment.

FIG. 7 is a view taken along section 77 of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a partial sectional perspective of another embodiment.

FIGS. 9, l0, l1 and sectional views of still other embodiments.

Referring now to the drawings, the numeral 10 denotes generally ahighway, by way of example, having a concrete roadbed. The numeral 12denotes any one of a plurality of generality of generally transversechannel members for supporting the movable markers 14 and associatedbelts. Referring now to FIG. 2 of the drawings, the numeral 16 denotes ametal coil spring extending into and supporting a traffic lane divider14 formed of plastic or the like. The spring 16 is suitably mounted to aplate attached to or embedded in a belt 18, the belt formed of metalmesh, elastomer, such as neoprene, or any other suitable material (1)which is flexible and durable and having attached or imbeded therein orthereto a metal or other stiff plate 51 to which the spring is attachedby means of a stud or short spindle l7. (2) the numeral 20 denotes achannel section embedded in the top surface of the roadbed and includinga central portion 22 running longitudinally thereof. The numeral 24denotes shoulders on either side of the depression 22 upon which thelateral edges of the belt 18 rest and obtain support.

The numeral 26 denotes one of the two ends of the installationillustrated at FIG. 2 and includes housing 28 embedded in the topsurface of the roadbed. The housing 28 contains an electric motordenoted by the numeral 30 and having suitable leads as indicated. Theleads extend to a central control panel or terminal (not illustrated).The numeral 32 denotes a spindle coupled to and adapted to be rotated bymotor 30. One end of belt 18 is attached to and wound upon spindle 32.

The numeral denotes the other end of the installation shown at FIG. 2and is defined by a housing 36 having brackets 38 therein for supportinga spindle 40. A cover 42 closes the top surface of housing 36. Thenumeral 44 denotes a brush or scraper formed of, for example, relativelystiff wire and mounted upon support 46, in turn mounted within housing36. The ends of the scraper wires about the lower surface of belt 18.The numeral 48 denotes any one of several apertures in the bottom ofhousing 36 for the purpose of draining water into an indicateddrainpipe, the water seeping into the housing 36, for example, by way ofchannel 22. The spindle 40 is spring-urged or biased by any suitableconstruction so that it normally urges the belt 18 towards the right asviewed at FIG. 2.

Referring now to FIG. 3 of the drawings, a modification is illustratedwherein the channel 20 is replaced by another channel 19 which hassubstantial upper overhangs which define a slot 21 runninglongitudinally thereof. The channel 19 is placed in the top surface ofthe roadbed 10, so that its top portion is substantially flush with theroadbed, as is the case with the channel member at FIG. 2.

The mode of operation of the described system is as follows. At one timeduring the day, a plurality of the markers 14 are located to define laneboundry 50 of FIG. I, while at another time of day the markers 14 aremoved to define lane boundry 52, also shown at FIG. I. In order toeffect this, the motor is energized and turns the spindle 32 against thebiasing force of spindle 40, to urge each of the markers 14 toward, forexample,

lane boundry in FIG. 1. At another time during the day, motor 32 isoperated in a reverse direction so as to allow the spring biasing forceof spindle 40 to move the markers 14 towards the other land boundry 52.The upstanding springs 16 enable the markers 14 to be struck by avehicle without destroying the movable belt I8 or its installation.Preferably, the markers 14 are simply dropped down onto the springs 16and are in no other way attached thereto. Rainwater falling into thechannels will pass into the housings at either end of the belt forsubsequent drainage. Scraper 44 maintains the lower belt surface cleanto inhibit raised portions on the exposed belt run and to permit windingof the belt on the spindle without entrapping dirt or debris.

In areas of severe winter weather an electric heating coil may beinserted in channel 22 or attached to member 20 to prevent the formationof ice which would interfere with the operation of the mechanism.

Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5 of the drawings, an embodiment isillustrated which includes a channel member which is a rectangularcross-section except for a longitudinal slot 62 running along the lengthof'its top face. It will be understood that channel 60'is placed in theconcrete highway or roadbed in a manner entirely similar to the waychannel 20 is placed in the roadbed as illustrated in FIG. 2. The edgesof slot 62 are provided with longitudally running elastomer strips 64and 66, the strips having edges which abut each other to thereby form aseal over the slot 62. A continuous bolt 68 is employed, with one end ofits coiled around spindle 70 and the other end being engaged by spindle72. The latter is driven by an electric motor, similar to motor 30 ofFIG. 2. A hand crank can be incorporated into the mechanism to turnspindles 32 or 72 in case of a power failure or failure of the motor tooperate due to other causes. If desired, rollers such as 73 may beemployed to tension the belt 68 as well as diminishing the verticalextent of its two runs. In practice, the small plates such as indicatedat 69 is attached to the top surface of the top one of belt 68 and astud such as 17 of FIG. 3 is attached to the plate 69. Rotation ofspindle 72 in both directions causes a marker carried by the device topass back and forth transversely across the roadbed.

Referring now to FIGS. 6 and 7 of the drawings, still anothermodification is illustrated which employs a generally rectangularchannel member having a slot 81 in the top face thereof, and providedwith'a central strut 82 which separates the upper and lower runs of belt84. One end of the belt passes over a 'spindle 86 and the other isattached to spindle 88, the latter being connected to an electric motorsuch as 30 of FIG. 2. Longitudal strips 90 and 92 are attached to thetop edges of channel member 80, similar to strips 64 and 66 of theembodiment of FIG. 5. The operation is the same as earlier described,with the spindle 88 being rotated in alternate directions to cause thetraffic marker to move transversely backand forth in the same manner asover channel 20 of FIG. 2 of the drawings.

Referring now to FIG. 8 of the drawings, an embodiment is illustratedwhich includes a channel 94 of generally U-shaped cross-section andwhose upper longitudal edges are provided with elastomer strips 96 and97. These strips abut each other to define a longitudally running slot.A bracket denoted by the numeral 98 is carried by flexible wires 100 and102 in the manner indicated. The bracket carries an upstanding stud 104in turn attached to spring 106, the spring in turn carrying a trafficmarker as previously described. An expansion anchor receiving fastenerat 108 may be employed to anchor the channel relative to the channel inthe concrete roadbed or highway. It will be observed that the topsurface of portions 96 and 97 of the apparatus are flush with the topsurface of the roadbed. In operation, the wires 100 102 may be wrappedaround a spindle, similar to the embodiment of FIG. 2 of the drawings.The wires are spaced so as not to be directly beneath the slot definedby the abutting edges of 96 and 97.

Referring now to FIG. 9 of the drawings, still another embodiment isillustrated, similar to the embodiment of FIG. 8. Here, the channelmember is denoted by the numeral 110 and is formed completely ofelastomer. As in the embodiment of FIG. 8, the bracket 98 spans thedistance between two wires 100 and 102. Here, however, these wires arecontinuous and their return ones are denoted, respectively, by 112 and114. Thus, wires 100 and 112 as seen at FIG. 9 represent one continuouswire loophaving its end wound around spindles while sections 102 and 114denote a second and continuous wire loop, also wound around thespindles. The spindles are similar to those illustrated at FIGS. 4 and 6of the drawings. If desired, longitudally running support 116 may beemployed which is positioned beneath the longitudinally running slot inthe top surface. Spaced plate members 118 are held down by fasteners I20into the highway. As before, it will be observed that the top surface ofthe channel member is flush with the top surface of the highway.

Referring now to FIG. 10 of the drawings, yet another embodiment isillustrated which include the same continuous wire length 100, 112 and102, 114, the upper runs of which support bracket 98 in turn carryingstuds 17. Upper elastomer members 124 and 126 are flush with the roadwayand include integral, depending skirt portions. Channel member enclosesthe bracket and the wires and includes longitudinally extending bar 130positioned directly below the slot between elastomer members 124 and126. Anchor member 132 may be employed to anchor the channel member 125in the concrete. Other anchor members 132, not shown, are alternatelystaggered on either side of the mid portion of channel 125. As in theprevious embodiments, an electric motor or other power source rotatesthe spindles to which wires 100, 102 are secured for the purpose ofmoving the studs 17 back and forth along the longitudinal slot betweenelastomer members I24 and 126.

Turning now to FIG. 11, an embodiment is illustrated which employs acompletely elastomer channel member 134 of generally rectangular shapeand provided at its upper longitudinal face with a slot through whichstud 17 is adapted to pass for supporting a traffic marker, all aspreviously described. Spaced hold-down plates 136 are positioned withinthe interior of channel 134 and anchor members 138 are positioned atspaced locations along the channel member for holding the device in aroadbed. Continuous longitudinal abutments 140 and 142 slidingly abutopposite edges of threaded nut member 144 which surrounds elongatedthreaded rod 146. As rod 146 is rotated by an electric motor or otherpower source beneath the road surface, nut member 144 is precluded fromrotating therewith by abutments 140 and 142 and accordingly isconstrained to move along the length of the threaded rod. Stud 17 isattached to nut 144 and supports, in a manner previously explainedtraffic lane markers.

I claim:

1. An automated traffic lane divider ensemble includa. a plural lanehighway,

b. a plurality of traffic lane markers longitudinally spaced along saidhighway,

0. means for moving said markers back and forth, transversely across aportion of the width of said highway,

d. said means also partially supporting said markers and extendingbetween said lanes.

2. The ensemble of claim 1 wherein said means (0) is positioned beneaththe surface of said highway.

3. The ensemble of claim 1 wherein said means (c) extends also laterally4. An automated traffic lane divider ensemble includa. a plural lanehighway having a plurality of longitudinally spaced transverselyextending, elongated channel members positioned adjacent the surfacethereof,

b. each channel member containing within it an elongated movablesupport, each support carrying an upright traffic lane marker,

c. means for moving said support along its respective channel member.

5. The ensemble of claim 4 wherein each said movable support is definedby a flexible belt which carries said marker.

6. The ensemble of claim 5 wherein said means for moving the belt is amotor, the belt biased so as to be urged away from the motor.

7. The ensemble ofclaim 6 wherein the motor is coupled to a rotatablespindle around which is wound one end of the belt and wherein said otherbelt end is also fastened to and wound around a spindle, said secondspindle being biased to urge the belt away from the motor.

8. The ensemble of claim 7 wherein the motor and the two spindles arepositioned below the surface of the road.

9. The ensemble of claim 8 wherein said marker is carried on the belt byan elongated spring extending upwardly from and attached to the belt bymeans of a stud carried by the belt, the marker having a recess thereininto which the spring extends.

10. The ensemble of claim 5 wherein said channel member is open on onelongitudinal side thereof and wherein the top surface of said belt issubstantially flush with the longitudinal side edges of said channel.

11. The ensemble of claim 4 wherein said channel member is generallyrectangular in cross section, with an elongated slot running along andthrough the upper side thereof.

12. The ensemble of claim 11 wherein said channel member is at leastpartially formed of an elastomer.

13. The ensemble of claim 11 wherein the top edges of said elongatedslot are provided with elastomer strips whose opposed edges abut to forma resilient seal along the slot.

14. The ensemble of claim 4 wherein said support is defined by a bracketand wherein said means for moving support is at least one wire to whichthe bracket is secured.

15. The ensemble of claim 9 wherein the channel member is in the form ofa slotted rectangle having a top longitudinal slot through which saidspring extends, the belt positioned within the confines of the channel,the top surfaces of the channel being substantially flush with thesurface of the road.

16. The ensemble of claim 4 wherein said movable support and said meansfor moving said support are defined, respectively, by a threaded nutmember and a rod threaded therein, said rod extending parallel to thechannel and coupled to means for rotating it, whereby rotation withinthe nut member causes a marker to move along the channel.

1. An automated traffic lane divider ensemble including: a. a plurallane highway, b. a plurality of traffic lane markers longitudinallyspaced along said highway, c. means for moving said markers back andforth, transversely across a portion of the width of said highway, d.said means also partially supporting said markers and extending betweensaid lanes.
 2. The ensemble of claim 1 wherein said means (c) ispositioned beneath the surface of said highway.
 3. The ensemble of claim1 wherein said means (c) extends also laterally
 4. An automated trafficlane divider ensemble including: a. a plural lane highway having aplurality of longitudinally spaced transversely extending, elongatedchannel members positioned adjacent the surface thereof, b. each channelmember containing within it an elongated movable support, each supportcarrying an upright traffic lane marker, c. means for moving saidsupport along its respective channel member.
 5. The ensemble of claim 4wherein each said movable support is defined by a flexible belt whichcarries said marker.
 6. The ensemble of claim 5 wherein said means formoving the belt is a motor, the belt biased so as to be urged away fromthe motor.
 7. The ensemble of claim 6 wherein the motor is coupled to arotatable spindle around which is wound one end of the belt and whereinsaid other belt end is also fastened to and wound around a spindle, saidsecond spindle being biased to urge the belt away from the motor.
 8. Theensemble of claim 7 wherein the motor and the two spindles arepositioned below the surface of the road.
 9. The ensemble of claim 8wherein said marker is carried on the belt by an elongated springextending upwardly from and attached to the belt by means of a studcarried by the belt, the marker having a recess therein into which thespring extends.
 10. The ensemble of claim 5 wherein said channel memberis open on one longitudinal side thereof and wherein the top surface ofsaid belt is substantially flush with the longitudinal side edges ofsaid channel.
 11. The ensemble of claim 4 wherein said channel member isgenerally rectangular in cross section, with an elongated slot runningalong and through the upper side thereof.
 12. The ensemble of claim 11wherein said channel member is at least partially formed of anelastomer.
 13. The ensemble of claim 11 wherein the top edges of saidelongated slot are provided with elastomer strips whose opposed edgesabut to form a resilient seal along the slot.
 14. The ensemble of claim4 wherein said support is defined by a bracket and wherein said meansfor moving support is at least one wire to which the bracket is secured.15. The ensemble of claim 9 wherein the channel member is in the form ofa slotted rectangle having a top longitudinal slot through which saidspring extends, the belt positioned within the confines of the channel,the top surfaces of the channel being substantially flush with thesurface of the road.
 16. The ensemble of claim 4 wherein said movablesupport and said means for moving said support are defined,respectively, by a threaded nut member and a rod threaded therein, saidrod extending parallel to the channel and coupled to means for rotatingit, whereby rotation within the nut member causes a marker to move alongthe channel.